President Gusmão held a press conference on Monday at the Palace of
Ashes to appeal to the media to explain to the people the process of the
proposed bill on immigration and asylum. Gusmão said that the document
would be returned today [Monday] to the National Parliament and the Court
of Appeal. The Court considered the law as unconstitutional, and the
President announced that he would for this reason veto it. In a separate
development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs José Ramos-Horta said the
decision of the Court must be respected. He added, "I believe that
Prime Minister Alkatiri will carefully analyze the opinion of the Court of
Appeal and overcome the situation". (Lusa, STL)

Bishop Belo Arrived In Dili on Friday

The former Bishop of Dili, Ximenes Belo arrived in Dili on Friday after
6 months of medical treatment in Portugal. Upon his arrival at Nicolau
Lobato International Airport, Belo held a press conference during which he
commented on the recent travel advisory issued by the American
Administration regarding Timor-Leste. He said the Timorese must create
conditions to attract tourist or face losing them to Bali. Referring to
the prostitution problem, the former Bishop of Dili said "it gives a
bad impression to the country; the Government and the Parliament must take
steps to face the situation". Ximenes Belo added that prostitution
derives from poverty. It was reported that Belo's return is due to his
mother health conditions. (TP, STL, TVTL)

Dili District Court Sentenced Police to Fifteen Months Imprisonment

Dili District Court sentenced a police officer to fifteen months
imprisonment on Friday for killing a 9 year old girl, Maria Auxiliadora in
a car accident. The incident occurred on June 3, when the officer named C.
A. Ramos was patrolling Becora neighborhood and failed to stop when the
girl and her friend tried to cross the road. It was reported that Ramos
kept on speeding even though he had noticed the girls were trying to cross
the road, reported STL. (STL)

Demonstrators Asked For Establishment of IT

On Friday (July 4) about 50 people gathered in front of the US
Ambassador's residence in Lecidere, to demand the establishment of an
International Tribunal for crimes against humanity committed in Timor-Leste
during the Indonesian occupation. Candles were light in memory of those
victims who have passed away. The coordinator of the event, Thomas Freitas
from Lao Hamutuk said that the aim of the event was to congratulate the US
for support basic human values, support the establishment of an
International Tribunal and stop military support to Indonesia. They call
on the US to urge Indonesia to be committed to the Human Rights Tribunal
and strive for peace in Aceh and West Papua. (STL)

Interpol Issued Mandate For The Detention of Timorese and Indonesian

On Saturday, Interpol published the first nine mandates for the
detention of Timorese and Indonesian responsible for the violence
committed in Timor-Leste in 1999. The list of the names include two
Indonesian, one military accused for being responsible for various crimes
against humanity, included murder, forced imprisonment and the murder of
the Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes. Djoko Sarosa the then Indonesian
commander of battalion 745 stationed in Lautém, was accused in 2002 for
17 crimes against humanity included 14 for the murdered of 21 civilian on
20 and 21 of September 1999 during the military pull out from that region.
A member of the battalion has allegedly murdered the Dutch journalist in
Becora, Dili. The others eight (one Indonesian) are part of a group of 12
people formally accused of the murder in August 1999 of the former
traditional head (liurai) of Lospalos. (TP)

Bishop Nascimento: Population Too Frightened to Approach Ministers

In a lengthy interview with STL, the Bishop of Dili and Baucau Diocese,
Basilio do Nascimento said he is not sure whether the open governance
program has been successful. The Bishop said that for the Timorese it is
important that their concern are heard and added that opening government
isn't the only way. It is important for the people to be able to approach
the ministers and speak to them but it is not possible as the security
around them scare them away. The Bishop said there are reports and people
he has met, are frustrated with the government for not keeping their
promises. Prime Minister and members of the government began today
[Monday] the open governance program in the eastern part of the territory.
The program is scheduled to end on Saturday. (STL)